Monday, March 26, 2007

What's pops in our shops? (Part II) Continued from last week, here are some movies that are getting great feedback from customers...

We know that many parents are excited to share the love of foreign films with their kids. But where to start? Two new films, THE CAVE OF THE YELLOW DOG (from the director of THE STORY OF THE WEEPING CAMEL) and MONGOLIAN PING-PONG, have come recommended as good quality films that young adults can grasp.

Two Asian-American independent films, RED DOORS and THE MOTEL, are both earning high marks. Of RED DOORS, the Chronicle wrote, "A gentle, pleasant film about people you genuinely like." LA Weekly: "A peppy if uneven charmer with a fetchingly wistful edge." Meanwhile, the beginning sections of THE MOTEL reach a rare mix of melancholy and laugh-aloud humor. Unfortunately, the film's resistance to sentimentality is so ardent that its narrative fizzles a bit by the end. Still, both are worthwhile viewing for fans of indie film.

A little manic — but with some great moments emerging from the mess — the dysfunctional coming-of-age story RUNNING WITH SCISSORS reminds us of the weird humor of John Irving combined with the camp minutia of David Sedaris. It's a surprisingly odd entry to the shelves.

Confusing and intoxicating, THE PRESTIGE — a story of rival magicians from the director of MEMENTO — is filled with enigma even while letting you in on backstage secrets. Just by the merits of its design alone, it leaves the other recent magic movies — SCOOP, THE ILLUSIONIST — in the smoke.

Sometimes customers begin to lose track of all the titles they want to see. And who wants to carry around a list? When you're browsing in the shop, just ask us to make a note of "to-see movies" on your account, so we can remind you of your wish list the next time you come in.

And now, on with the newest arrivals. There's tons of stuff: Lots of exciting new titles, and you can thank new owners Ken and Amy for stocking up on all of the latest Criterion releases. British TV fans may be interested to note the arrival of a new set of THE MIDSOMER MURDERS, as well as the vintage series THE SANDBAGGERS. Those same British TV fans may want to kill us for finally caving in and stocking the American version of THE OFFICE. Hey, people tell us "it's not that bad."

yours,four star.

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

CHILDREN OF MEN.Sci-Fi/Thriller.Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Claire-Hope Ashitey.Directed by Alfonso Cuaron.* It's not every sci-fi thriller that comes with a DVD commentary by Slovenian cultural theorist Slojav Zizek. Based on a P.D. James novel, CHILDREN OF MEN is set in a near-future dystopia, in which all of humanity has become barren, immigration cotrol and class divides have escalated to barbarism, and warring factions fight to gain control of what future might possibly be left. But this isn't just a movie of ideas: It's also an exhilarating, if nightmarish, chase movie — with suspense sequences that creep up on you from all sides. The LA Times writes that CHILDREN OF MEN is "made with palpable energy, intensity and excitement." The Chicago Tribune: "It is that rare futuristic thriller: grim in its scenario, yet exhilarating in its technique." The cast is stellar (everyone seems to love Michael Caine in this). And while director Cuaron's "new Mexican cinema" colleagues Alejandro Inarritu and Guillermo del Toro both also released films to high praise last year (BABEL and PAN'S LABYRINTH, respectively), this one could be the underrated gem of the batch. The New York Times: "CHILREN OF MEN may be something of a bummer, but it’s the kind of glorious bummer that lifts you to the rafters, transporting you with the greatness of its filmmaking." The Onion: "It's a heartbreaking, bullet-strewn valentine to what keeps us human."see also: 28 DAYS LATER.

COLOR ME KUBRICK.Comedy. England.John Malkovich, Directed by Brian W. Cook. * Variety: "A sly, enormously entertaining romp based on the antics of real-life Brit conman Alan Conway who rooked his way around '90s London posing as Stanley Kubrick." Salon.com: "Malkovich is of course an international signifier for intelligent cinema, and this showboat performance is certainly worth seeing. Curiously, it does little to redeem director Brian Cook's film, which is often funny but never rises above campy, mean-spirited trash."see instead: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION.

FOLLOWING SEAN.Documentary. Directed by Ralph Arlyck.* This could be the antidote to THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, which is also released this week and also follows a precocious kid around San Francisco. But this documentary resists, by its very verité nature, any hint of Disney-style resolution. Filmmaker Ralph Arlyck first met Sean while living as a graduate student in San Francisco's Haight Ashbury neighborhood at the height of the 1960s. Thirty years, three generations, and a lifetime later, Arlyck returns to the city in search of the adult Sean might have become. The Chicago Reader: "What promises to be a standard postmortem on '60s ideology becomes a thoughtful essay on the choices we all make between work, family, and personal freedom." The Chronicle: "At its exhilarating best, FOLLOWING SEAN is reminiscent of the lauded British documentaries that began with 7UP."see also: TARNATION,STONE READER,THE UP SERIES.

HAPPY FEET.Animation//Family/Musical.Voices by Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Brittany Murphy.Directed by George Miller.* This is the one families have been waiting for... A PG-rated treat, of which The New York Daily News wrote, "In the year of the animated movie, this one soars above them all. " Lots of CGI emperor penguins come together through song as they learn to accept a sheepish little runt who cannot sing like the rest of them (he tap dances instead). Yet another chance for actress Brittany Murphy to prove to the world that she can sing! (Or at least belt emphatically.) The Onion: "It's a gorgeously rendered marvel that pulls out all the stops to wow its viewers, but in spite of its crowd-pleasing ploys, it holds onto its integrity with a smart and surprisingly deep story."see also: FINDING NEMO.

PERVERT!Comedy/Horror.Directed by Jonathan Yudis.

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS.Drama.Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandie Newton.Directed by Steve Conrad.* The sort of aspirational "American dream" movie that tends to succeed everywhere else except San Francisco... And so the producers set the film in San Francisco, thus cornering the last remaining demographic! But seriously, this film — the story of an evicted father trying to work his way back up— has its fair share of both defenders and detractors. The debate is familiar: Is it sappy or complex? Manipulative or triumphant? The Baltimore sun writes, "It's a genuinely transporting inspirational movie because it's also a cautionary tale." And the Charlotte Observer claims, "My sentimentality meter never went off." However, Film Threat warns: "Especially to anyone with kids, the film packs some punch. Apart from that, PURSUIT is emotionally manipulative and way too glossy to really hit home." The Village Voice adds: "Too emotionally slick to work, too visually glib to have an impact, made by people who think grit is something that's brought in by the prop department."see also: COACH CARTER.

TURISTAS.Horror.Directed by John Stockwell.

WOMAN IS THE FUTURE OF WOMAN.Comedy. South Korea.Directed Sang-Soo Hong.

THE OFFICE (AMERICAN VERSION), SERIES 1 & 2.NBC Sitcom.* Purists, forgive us: The addition of the American version of THE OFFICE to our library is an act of keen response to popular demand. True geeks can compare and contrast all sorts of details at THE OFFICE'S Wikipedia page, which includes a rather Wernham-Hogg–looking chart thing.

THE SANDBAGGERS, SERIES 1 & 2.Vintage British Espionage Series.

THE SHIELD, SERIES 5.FX Crime Series.Please note that our copies of this title have been slightly waylaid. They should be in stock within a few days.

What's pops in our shops? Well, besides the usual suspects (like BABEL and BORAT), there are a few smaller titles that are earning high marks from our customers...

A little French film called WHEN THE SEA RISES centers on a middle-aged woman who travels from town to town with her one-woman avant-garde theater piece. Reminiscent of Fellini's collaborations with Guilietta Masina, this title piqued our interest after a series of satisfied customers returned it with a smile. Salon.com wrote, "A delightfully off-kilter love story. I don't want to oversell this winsome little movie, but if you want a bittersweet but cheerful pick-me-up on a cold winter evening, it's just the ticket."

How can a documentary be a romp? Well, think back on the guerilla tactics of Michael Moore, but subtract some of that aggression, and you're somewhere near THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED, a surprisingly entertaining and funny investigation of the MPAA film ratings board. We love the novice lesbian private detective who is hired to help out.

What kid wouldn't be intrigued by an animation adventure set in the sewage pipes under London? And FLUSHED AWAY is one for parents to watch along with: For although the compromise is that the folks from the Aardaman Group (responsible for WALLACE & GROMIT) are using computer graphics rather than claymation, they manage to retain their British sense of humor (a clever repositioning of marmite on toast, for instance). Hugh Jackman's energetic vocal contribution ensures that the main character — an uptown rat named Roddy — is especially charming.

As for the TV shows, HBO's THE WIRE continues to build its audience relentlessly. But if that show is just too grown up for you, we recommend the high school detective series VERONICA MARS. Winner of Salon.com's "Buffy Award" for underrated TV series, it's kind of like TWIN PEAKS rewritten by a young adult novelist. We also love WONDERFALLS, which The Onion called "one of the most recent additions in the pantheon of brilliant-but-cancelled series." It's got to be one of the all-time greatest premises ever: An underachieving young woman, recently graduated from Brown, moves back to her hometown of Niagra Falls, where she works at its premiere tacky gift shop. Oh, and the little knick knacks for sale talk to her.

We'll keep you updated on these little sleepers. And now, on to the new entries...

lovefour star.

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

BLOOD DIAMOND.Drama/Adventure.Leonardo Di Caprio, Dijmon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly.Directed by Edward Zwick.* Mixed reviews for this drama, set during the 1990s civil war in Sierra Leone. The New Yorker cooed: "Essentially a romantic adventure story with politics in the background — an old-fashioned movie, I suppose, but exciting and stunningly well made." The San Francisco Chronicle, however, wrote: "Director Edward Zwick tried to make a great movie, but somewhere in the process he forgot to make a good one." Jonathan Rosenbaum defended the film's good intentions: "Action-adventure pictures have a lamentable tendency toward mindlessness, but Zwick's epic story has numerous virtues apart from suspense and spectacle." One user on metacritic.com countered: "The impression I get from this movie is, the filmmakers googled around for some heart-breaking story to exploit (so they could pretend they were making a difference). They then drastically simplifed the issues to the point of distortion so we could all feel moved without actually being edified."see also: THE CONSTANT GARDENER,PLACE VENDOME,HOTEL RWANDA.

It makes sense that a film based on true crime events from the Bay Area in the 1970s should feel like that era's moody detective dramas. The new film ZODIAC, just out in theaters, captures the look and feel of retro San Francisco through its soundtrack, earthy costuming and some masterful CGI effects. It even references the Steve McQueen classic BULLIT directly. It's a very well-done film and a pretty good excuse to go out to the cinema. But then maybe nothing beats the real thing... We've been upkeeping a display of San Francisco movies in the store — THE CONVERSATION, VERTIGO, ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, TIME AFTER TIME... Plus some lesser-known and more up-to-date treats. It's been on display for a few weeks now, but it has turned into such a fun destination for customers, we think we'll keep it going for awhile.

As for what's new on video, read on...

yours, team four star

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

SHORTBUS.Comedy/Drama/Experimental/Music.Sook-Yin Lee, Paul Dawson, Lindsay Beamish, PJ DeBoy, Adam Hardman.Directed by John Cameron Mitchell.* A film that begins with an explicit depiction of auto-felatio is certainly not for everyone. And be warned that this latest from John Cameron Mitchell (creator of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH) is very explicit indeed. But the truth is, it all feels more frisky than sleazy — sort of like the Good Vibrations of movies. The film weaves a fabric of hip New Yorkers who convene at a carnival-like underground salon called SHORTBUS. It's filled with all sorts of queers and trannies, and at the center is a sweet professional woman who has yet to achieve an orgasm. The film's story lines are loose, and certain sections meander to the point of tedium. But it remains a smart and funny film, and one that achieves moments of poetry amidst all the dildo gags. There is a goosebumpy conversation about the AIDS epidemic held between an old man who claims to be the former mayor of New York and a beautiful young male model. Then there's the primal soundtrack by Animal Collective, not to mention an a capella version of "The Star Spangled Banner" sung heroically by three men in the midst of an oral orgy. We'll just say it's a cheeky rendition. Which brings us to the point of it all: The film is Mitchell's idiosyncratic response to the aftermath of 911, a reaction against violence and a proposal that the revolution may be a sexual one after all. The liberal politics are as explicit as the sex, and the film's critics include The Washington Post: "Mitchell's portrayal of sex as the ultimate vehicle for transcendence, self-knowledge and healing, while conveyed with authentic sweetness, seems shockingly naive." see also: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH,ANGELS IN AMERICA,9 SONGS.

............//NEW TITLES//............

CASINO ROYALE.Action. Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Judi Dench, Mads Mikkelsen, Jeffrey Wright.Directed by Martin Campbell.* Maybe we were expecting the return of James Bond to be something more satirical. But the producers here apparently believed that a knowing wink could only lead to kitsch. Instead, they have chosen to make a good quality action movie, something you don't see very often these days. The luxurious trappings of 007 still entice: Gorgeous locations — the Bahamas, Montenegro, Venice — somehow make the world seem big again. The beautiful Bond girl and euphemistic come-ons are still at play. There are no gadgets, but there are all sorts of clever references to the Bond canon: This time, for instance, Bond wins his Aston Martin in a bet. One of the startling aspects of this film is that we are made to think about the body count. The Bond character — having just received his license of kill — is made to confront whether his arrogance has stamped out his ethics. Daniel Craig is simultaneously a more brooding and burlier Bond than we've ever seen: With his steely eyes and ape-like physique, he was clearly cast not in reference to the past actors. When asked by a barman, "Shaken or stirred?," he responds, "Do I look like a man who gives a damn?" He does have a suave gait, though. As for that theme song, not so great. Next time, why not commission the internationalist post-punk band Blonde Redhead instead? They'd be perfect.see also: MIAMI VICE.

After six years of living in the Bernal Heights area and working with Four Star Video, we (Jamie and Jeremy) are moving to England, to be near Jamie's family and make art.

Our tenure at the shop has been an incredible ride — filled with special memories and also some very challenging times, particularly with the sudden passing of our partner Dave this winter. We leave you all with much gratitude. We have met so many amazing people... Folks who have influenced the way that we see the world, and kids that we've seen grow up from little tots to teenagers. What a trip! You've brought us a lot of smiles. We will remember you forever.

We have, along with Dave's family, sold the shop to an amazing couple, Ken and Amy Shelf. They are our friends, neighbors and customers, and have worked with us on accounting in the past. Ken and Amy both come from solid backgrounds in small business, and are also film buffs. We even carry Ken's feature film, HUMANS BEING, in our shop. Ken and Amy were good friends with Dave for years. (When their son Huckleberry, just days old, made his very first outing from the house, it was a trip down to the video shop to meet Dave!) We all feel that this transition seems like kismet, and that Dave is looking down on us approvingly.

We want to assure you that this has very much been a team effort. Ken and Amy are fully aware of the shop's mission and role in the community. It is with deep relief that we can honestly say we couldn't think of a better match to take the shop into its next phase. Ken and Amy are completely respectful about the things that make Four Star work so well. They are also excited to introduce some new energy to the business — namely, expanding the shop's position as a place for learning about film, and reasserting its commitment to local youth. They are so enthusiastic about the shop's future. We can't wait for you to meet them: They're totally stoked! With Ken and Amy on board, we are confident that Four Star will remain one of the keystone film libraries in the city, as well as a very special place to hang out.

Ken and Amy will be taking over on Friday, March 9. The current staff has happily agreed to stay on. We (Jamie and Jeremy) will be working with the new ownership for a month or so. Then what for us? We will move to England in May, where we will form a civil partnership. (Yes, you can get gay-married in England!) Then, who knows, it's on to the next adventure...

With a big hug,Jeremy and JamieFour Star Video

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN.Comedy.Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian, Luenell, Pamela Anderson.Directed by Larry Charles.* Rude, lewd, totally offensive and kind of amazing, BORAT is unlike anything you've seen before. (Especially the homoerotic naked chase scene!) BORAT combines the slapstick social critique of Groucho Marx or Peter Sellers with the balls-out gags of the JACKASS crew. You probably know the set-up by now: As Borat, a cut-rate TV presenter from Kazakhstan, Sacha Baron Cohen visits America and interviews a bunch of ignorant fools, who are then edited to look even dumber. A rodeo cowboy is revealed to be homophobic, a high society gathering is full of hypocrites, a bunch of frat boys are misogynistic, and so on. Is Cohen's objectivity questionable? Surely. Is it unfortunate that the very real nation of Kazakhstan gets portrayed as a backwater? Yes. However, the broader point is to draw a comparison between a country generally regarded as unsophisticated and the uglier realities lurking within the world's most powerful nation. And ultimately whether or not the jokes are mean-spirited is kind of a moot point: This is a satire, as in making fun. P.S. Your DVD appears as if it is a bootleg. It was designed that way: The jokes here extend all the way to the packaging.see also: >JESUS IS MAGIC,>BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE.

............//NEW TITLES//.............

BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN.see above: "release of the week."

Predictably, Sunday's Oscar ceremony was pretty boring and very draining. We can't believe Ellen didn't make her entrance in a MARIE ANTOINETTE wig. The best part was that 'sound effects choir.' Pretty impressive. It was also cool to see Alan Arkin win for his supporting role in LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. Hey, if you liked him in that, we recommend him in another quirky comedy from a few years back, THE SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS. Customers are always asking for "something funny, not too heavy, not intense..." Here's your tip: Try THE SLUMS.

If you missed the ceremony but want to get in on the celebrity ogling, we recommend the reports, blogs, podcasts and slideshows compiled by The Guardian UK. Hadley Freeman's fashion commentary is pretty funny, and she's right: It's super cute to see the Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN boys reunited. They're already the old school of the new Mexican cinema! By the way, we've got a display featuring all of the previous films by the Oscar-nominated directors Alfonso Cuaron (CHILDREN OF MEN), Guillermo del Toro (PAN'S LABYRINTH) and Alejandro Inarritu (BABEL) up at the front counter for you to browse.

Viva,Four Star.

P.S. A very fond farewell to Sara. A Bernal Heights native and longtime Four Star clerk, Sara is leaving us to devote herself more fully to the local Muslim community and her linguistics studies. Sara filled our days with music and food and poetry and laughter and more food, and her presence will be very missed by us all. Sara still lives in the neighborhood, so you should still be seeing a lot of her around Cortland Ave. Big love, Sara!

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

STRANGER THAN FICTION.Comedy/Drama/Fantasy.Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Queen Latifah, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson.Directed by Marc Forster.* Meta-fiction has long been an area of interest for the esoterically-inclined, so isn't it about time that somebody nabbed the genre for, say, a Will Ferrell movie? Here, Ferrell plays an IRS Agent who realizes his life is being chronicled by a narrator whom only he can hear. She is a nearly forgotten author, struggling to complete her latest book, unaware that her protagonist is alive and uncontrollably guided by her words. Fiction and reality collide, and things get heated when Ferrell figures out that this particular authoress always ends her stories with a tragic death. Obviously, we're reminded of the screenplays of Charlie Kaufman (ADAPTATION, ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND). But most critics contended that this film stands up pretty well on its own. Empire magazine wrote, "It might be Charlie Kaufman lite, but this is a great date movie for the discerning — smart, ingenious and heartwarming."see also: ADAPTATION.

JOURNEY TO THE END OF THE NIGHT.Drama/Thriller.Brendan Fraser, Mos Def, Scott Glenn, Catalina Sandino Moreno.Directed by Eric Eason.* Not an adaptation of the ironical epic by Louis Ferdinand Celine, this simply takes that book's title and tacks it onto a typical modern-day thriller. It's the story of a father and son separately plotting to escape the desolation of their lives in the lurid underworld of Brazil's sex industry. Good cast, though.see instead: CITY OF GOD.

ELEGY OF THE LAND.Documentary Shorts. 1977-1988.Directed by Alexander Sokurov.* This DVD compiles two early short films from the talented director of RUSSIAN ARK. From Facets: "Both of these moody, melancholy works emphasize the significance of the Russian land to its people on an almost spiritual level." MARIA serves as a requiem for a hard-working peasant woman as well as a lament over the loss of a way of life —after she died, her secrets and work methods died with her. THE LAST DAY OF A RAINY SUMMER, shot in 1978 on a collective farm, captures the daily routines of a community whose lifestyle was fading even as it was being chronicled.see also: THE GLEANERS AND I.

Hey parents, we'd like to point you to this week's new release FLUSHED AWAY — a collaboration between Aardman Animations (which has brought you amazing stuff like WALLACE & GROMIT and CREATURE COMFORTS) and the studio behind SHREK. Our kid customers have also been going ga-ga over the CHARLIE AND LOLA cartoons from England. Sweet! Also, we've recently expanded our 'Retro Kids' selection. That's where you'll find episodes of THE ELECTRIC COMPANY and SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK, old Disney movies starring Hayley Mills, and stuff like FREE TO BE YOU AND ME, BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS and CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG.

Meanwhile, the grown-up shelves are filling up with Oscar nominees. As one of our regular customers put it, "The Academy members have returned their DVDs!" As for the encroaching Academy Awards, we have to say that we've become all to skeptical about an awards ceremony that is not dictated by film critics nor audience members, but industry insiders who have a vested interest in exactly what kind of film should win. Way too many awards go to the heavy-handed and the mediocre. So this year, we'll just be watching for the fashion.

love4star.

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

THE PRESTIGE.Drama/Thriller.Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine, David Bowie.Directed by Christopher Nolan. * Yes, it's the season of magic movies. And the producers of THE PRESTIGE were pretty stupid to let their little gem get released after both THE ILLUSIONIST and Woody Allen's SCOOP (which also stars Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johansson). The thing is, THE PRESTIGE is the superior film of the bunch, and it'd be a shame for you to miss it just because you're all tricked out. Think back to THE ILLUSIONIST: Do you remember any magic? Or just a mildly entertaining Hollywood yarn? THE PRESTIGE, by contrast, is intoxicating from its first breath, and full of magic tricks that will haunt you for days. The lead actors are supremely easy to look at, and supported by none other than Michael Caine and David Bowie. The plotline follows two young magicians whose rivalry is bitter and violent. The twists are unexpected and enigmatic. Christopher Nolan, who previously directed MEMENTO and BATMAN RETURNS, may manipulate his audiences, but in his case, you don't seem to mind, you just go along for the ride. Because what a ride it is. "You want to see it again the second it's over," wrote Peter Travers in Rolling Stone. As for the magic, THE PRESTIGE takes a sharp angle — magic as both show biz trickery ripe for demystification, but also a real phenomenon obtainable through radical science. This one's a wower. see also: THE ILLUSIONIST,SCOOP.

BABEL.Drama/Thriller.Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Gael Garcia Bernal, Rinko Kikuchi.Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu.* Winner of the Golden Globe for Best Picture and nominee for the Oscar as well, BABEL reads kind of like an international version of CRASH. The format — multiple stories intertwining through fate and coincidence — has become an audience favorite. Though this set-up was once championed with great elegance by directors like Robert Altman, it now suffers when employed as a forced conceit. BABEL is one of those films that lets you know how very important it is, which can be kind of alienating. Most people will think that BABEL is good enough. But good enough to win? see also: 21 GRAMS,TRAFFIC,CRASH.

FLUSHED AWAY.Animation.Voices by Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Ian McKellan, Jean Reno.Directed by David Bowers and Sam Fell.* Talk about potty humor: This animated feature is about cute little creatures stuck in sewage pipes. While a collaboration between Aardman Studios (WALLACE & GROMIT) and Dreamworks (SHREK) sounds great at first, you begin to worry when you ponder it shifting towards the SHREK side of things. Unfortunately, this film is done in GGI rather than claymation, meaning it'll loose some of WALLACE & GROMIT'S hand-touched charm, but this is still a must for animation geeks.see also: WALLACE & GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.Comedy/Independent.Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Eugene Levy, Jennifer Coolidge, Fred Willard.Directed by Christopher Guest.* "People want more pageantry, more red carpets," says a character in FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. "Is there anything wrong with that?" Christopher Guest and his merry crew (who put together BEST IN SHOW and WAITING FOR GUFFMAN) tackle the territory of an independent film production that begins to garner Oscar hype. The film-within-a-film is called "HOME FOR PURIM," a kind of "BIG FAT JEWISH WEDDING" mixed with the American film classic THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES. The timing of this release couldn't be better: With next Sunday marking the Oscar festivities, why not a little pre-show satire? The usual ensemble cast is joined here by cameos from folks like Ricky Gervais and Sandra Oh. And while our expectations were low after Guest's last endeavor, A MIGHTY WIND (which was just sort of a muffled fart), we were pleased to find a lot of spot-on improv and laugh-aloud one-liners here. see also: THE FILMS OF CHRISTOPHER GUEST.

OPEN WATER 2: ADRIFT.Thriller.Directed by Hans Horn.* Jamie got a case of the giggles when he read the tagline for this film: "Fatigue. Hypothermia. Death." What more could you want from a video rental?see also: OPEN WATER.

THE PRESTIGE.see above: "release of the week."

SHUT UP & SING.Music Documentary.The Dixie Chicks, Rick Rubin, George W. Bush.Directed by Barbara Kopple & Cecilia Peck.* Who would picture a bunch of hipster queers standing around a San Francisco shop — with their eyes glued to The Dixie Chicks? But that’s exactly what happened when we first put this documentary on in the store. We laughed along with big mouth Natalie (man, can that girl eat!). We were appropriately grossed out by the redneck types who hated on her band after her off-the-cuff comment about George W. Bush. We came together and discovered that maybe we’re Dixie Chicks fans! It’s nice to watch a movie about musicians who are not self-destructive and self-pitying, but feisty and optimistic. This film is also an eye-opener in its footage of PR and media types in the brainstorming stage — here, responding to a large-scale public slander campaign. P.S. Our in-store screening prompted all of the remaining copies to rent out! So we put on BEDTIME FOR BONZO instead. see also: THE U.S. VS. JOHN LENNON.

We were shocked and heartbroken to hear of the passing of Cayce Lindner, a filmmaker, musician, teacher, father and friend. Cayce was a Four Star loyalist until he decamped to the East Bay a couple of years back. He was the kind of customer whose enthusiasm and curiosity about all types of cinema made us feel proud to do what we do. He leaves behind his lovely wife and two young children. This has been a very difficult tragedy for us to process. Right now, we are simply hoping that Cayce has found peace.

To learn more about Cayce's music and his most recent band, Flying Canyon, you might start here.

Goodbye, Cayce.

This week is loaded with big movies, as the industry takes advantage of the stay-in season and the approaching Academy Awards. We look forward to seeing you around the shop, and we'll try to pass on our impressions of those films we've found to be worthwhile.

Take care,Four Star.

..............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**..............

THE U.S. VS. JOHN LENNON.Documentary.Directed by David Leaf & John Scheinfeld.* In a week that includes the release of Scorsese's bloodbath THE DEPARTED and Coppola's aristocratic induldgence MARIE ANTOINETTE, our choice to single out this release may seem a little subjective: We've opted for an independent documentary about a couple of pacifist rockers instead. On its own merits, however, THE U.S. VS. JOHN LENNON is an intriguing and iconoclastic little film. Yoko Ono fans will be pleased to see that her 'dragon lady' image was indeed undeserved: In every frame she appears in, she comes across as earnest, somewhat shy, and smart. Definitely a little weird — but never bossy or manipulative. In his archival footage, Lennon is a little full of himself (one elongated segment deals exclusively with his scandalous statement that The Beatles are "bigger than Jesus.") But his determined belief, augmented by Ono's creative savvy, that artists can bring positive change to the world feels optimistic and contagious. If the evidence that the pair was being monitored by the FBI feels handled with paranoia or exaggeration, it also undeniably offers a scary perspective on the precariousness of free speech in America. One thing: What's up with the interviewees' make-up? The filmmakers have got everyone from Noam Chomsky to Angela Davis to Gore Vidal looking like escapees from a mad cosmetics counter trainee. That is one make-up artist that should never, ever work again! see also: THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED.

.............//NEW TITLES//.............

THE CAVE OF THE YELLOW DOG.Drama. Mongolia/Germany.Directed by Byambasuren Davaa.

THE DEPARTED.Crime Drama.Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Walhberg, Vera Farmiga.Directed by Martin Scorsese.* It's nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, and garnered nearly universal critical acclaim. So what exactly elevates Scorsese's gangster movie from the pack? More than anything else, it's the confidence with which Scorsese holds his viewfinder. THE DEPARTED is composed with agility — beautifully shot and scored with bands like The Pogues rather than your typical movie soundtrack music. Details like these make a difference, and in this way the film harkens back to the '70s heyday of action films wrought with deliberation and grit. It is, formally, a solid achievement. The drawbacks: Jack Nicholson is almost unbearably smug in his bad guy role, as if he thinks of the whole thing as a joke. (Just watch him ham up the "I smell a rat" bit and you'll know what we mean.) And the film is so very, very, very violent. And we mean VIOLENT. While many critics have labelled it a new American crime classic, others weren't so impressed: The Charlotte Observor wrote that it "feels like an exercise by a Scorsese clone who has tackled the master's themes — without his energy and economy of style." A diplomatic New Yorker replies: "This merrily vicious and violent Martin Scorsese film about cops and gangsters in Boston will never haunt your sleep, as TAXI DRIVER and RAGING BULL do, but it will keep you excited and amused for well over two hours."see also: GANGS OF NEW YORK.

F**K.Documentary. Bill Maher, Ron Jeremy, Janet Jackson, Billy Connolly, Eddie Murphy, Justin Timberlake, Ice-T, Pat Boone, Janeane Garofalo...Directed by Steve Anderson. * From the studio: "A documentary on the expletive's origin, why it offends some people so deeply, and what can be gained from its use."see also: THE ARISTOCRATS.

HALF NELSON.Drama/Independent.Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, Anthony Mackie.Directed by Ryan Fleck.* This independent drama, much like the recent release SHERRYBABY, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, depends on the weight of a lead performance from a promising young actor. He would be Ryan Gosling, who swooped an Oscar nomination in a year of credentialed contenders from Leonardo DiCaprio to Forrest Whitaker. Gosling plays an inspiring teacher in an inner-city school who, just to break free from the usual formula, also happens to be a crack addict. Gosling's soulful eyes — which garnered attention in films like THE NOTEBOOK, THE BELIEVER, THE SLAUGHTER RULE and THE UNITED STATES OF LELAND — suggest an emotional complexity that sets him apart in a field that's become overcrowded with emptyheaded beefcakes. see also: SHERRYBABY.

INFAMOUS.Biographical Drama.Toby Jones, Sandra Bullock, Sigourney Weaver, Gwyneth Paltrow.Directed by Douglas McGrath.* When two movie studios each had a Truman Capote biopic ready to unleash right at the same time, how exactly did decisions get made? Whatever happened, it was last year's CAPOTE that was first out the gate. It won rave reviews and an Oscar for Philip Seymour Hoffman in the title role. Would things have been different if this film was released before or simultaneously? The Hollywood Reporter: "Gives you the unique opportunity to see how two sets of filmmakers can take exactly the same story, make extremely tough though different choices in emphasis and tone and achieve brilliant movies."see also: CAPOTE,IN COLD BLOOD.

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON.Drama/Thriller. British Made-for-TV Movie. England.Robson Green.Directed by Nicholas Laughland.

MARIE ANTOINETTE.Biographical Drama. Kirsten Dunst, Marianne Faithfull, Steve Coogan, Judy Davis, Jason Schwartzman.Directed by Sofia Coppola.* Sofia Coppola's maddening, visually dazzling spectacle attempts to draw some sort of connection between the ignorance of the French aristocracy and the punk rock ethic. The results are mixed, at best. The Toronto Globe and Mail wrote, "Here's one thing about MARIE ANTOINETTE: It sure is easy to watch. And here's another: It's even easier to forget." Rent this one for the costumes.see also: TRISTRAM SHANDY: A COCK AND BULL STORY.

THE LONELINESS OF THE LONG DISTANCE RUNNER.Drama/British Retro. 1962.Tom Courtenay.Directed by Tony Richardson.

****

****new release list no. 101

Nice! A big fat release week, with new films from everyone from Michel Gondry to Clint Eastwood to Zhang Yimou.

But before we get to the list, we want to say a special thank you to the former Potrero Hill customers who have been coming by our Cortland Avenue shop. You all have been terribly understanding about the inconvenience, and absolutely fantastic to have around Bernal Heights. Are we going to have to build a parking lot or what?

And lest anyone worry about the saturation of renters, we assure you that we'll be stocking plenty copies of each movie to go around! Don't forget to take advantage of the reservation system by calling us in advance.

love,****

.............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP.Comedy/Fantasy/Independent. (Spanish, French and English languages.)Gael Garcia Bernal, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alain Chabat, Miou-Miou.Directed by Michel Gondry.* Much like the director Wes Anderson, the continental eccentric Michel Gondry stays true to his inner child, creating a world that feels both familiar and new. His special effects are charmingly hand-engineered, and he lets his imagination run without restraint. In THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP, handmade stuffed animals come to life and toy instruments are capable of altering time. The danger is that such gorgeously indulgent whimsy can outstrip narrative and character. This film is basically about a boy trying to get a girl. The boy is Gael Garcia Bernal, playing an immature dreamer. The girl is his pretty, slightly frumpy neighbor (the charming French star Charlotte Gainsbourg). Their playful rapport is enough for the boy; the girl would rather grow up a bit and have a French kiss. Outside of their archetypal Parisian walk-up, the bulk of the action takes place in the boy's workplace — a dreary office where his mom has landed him a mundane job illustrating calendars. Bernal's performance is quite something: He flaunts a talent for physical comedy, and has a unique ability for being winsome but not effete. He is definitely a new generation movie star. The film itself is largely comprised of a sequence of cool-looking visual bits, and Gondry (who used to direct music videos) flops when he attempts to weave these scenes together into a meaningful whole. This film feels loose, like everyone involved was having a laugh. Still, it retains a thematic integrity: A study of the fine line between whimsy and irresponsibility. And it's a lot of fun. see also: ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND,RUSHMORE.

............//NEW TITLES//............

AFTER INNOCENCE.Documentary.Directed by Jessica Sanders.* The Portland Oregonian: "Powerfully explores the struggles faced by those whom DNA testing has exonerated after years behind bars." The Village Voice: "Both riveting and disturbing." The New York Times: "Calm, deliberate and devastating, Jessica Sanders' documentary AFTER INNOCENCE confirms many of the worst fears about weaknesses in the American criminal-justice system."see also: THE THIN BLUE LINE.

FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS.Drama/War.Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford, Barry Pepper, Jamie Bell, Paul Walker.Directed by Clint Eastwood.* Clint Eastwood has assembled a cast of pin-up boys to honor and debunk the mythological American "heroes" at Iwo Jima. Explains The Village Voice: "To an extent, FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS is to the World War II movie what Eastwood's UNFORGIVEN was to the western — a stripping-away of mythology until only a harsher, uncomfortable reality remains." The companion piece to his Oscar-nominated, Japanese-language LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA (which is not yet released on DVD).see also: UNFORGIVEN.

HOLLYWOODLAND.Mystery.Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Ben Affleck, Bob Hoskins.Directed by Allen Coulter.* A detective story based on the mysterious death of TV's SUPERMAN, George Reeves, in 1959. The Chicago Reader: "The period details and performances are uniformly superb (Bob Hoskins is especially good as MGM executive Eddie Mannix), and the major characters are even more complex than those in CHINATOWN."see also: THE BLACK DAHLIA,WHERE THE TRUTH LIES.

I AM GUILTY.Drama. Germany.Directed by Christoph Hochhäusler.

RIDING ALONE FOR THOUSANDS OF MILES.Drama. China. Ken Takakura.Directed by Zhang Yimou.* For lovers of great world cinema comes the newest from acclaimed director Zhang Yimou — a road movie and story of family reconciliation set across China's heartland. The Washington Post: "It's a masterful little film, and, thanks to Zhang's seasoned hands, it's subtly heartfelt but never manipulative." Entertainment Weekly: "Ken Takakura, a great rain-creased oak of an actor, delivers a quietly massive performance." Salon.com: "This new picture will reach only a few devoted American spectators. That's too bad, because once you get used to the apparent flatness and emotional reserve of this picture, it's a sad, slyly comic tale of family trauma and reconciliation that packs a wallop."see also: THE STRAIGHT STORY.

RUNNING WITH SCISSORS.Comedy.Joseph Cross, Annette Bening, Brian Cox, Joseph Fiennes, Evan Rachel Wood, Alec Baldwin, Gwenyth Paltrow.Directed by Ryan Murphy.* Based on the gay coming-of-age memoir by Augusten Burroughs, who tends to be popular with fans of David Sedaris. The Village Voice: "Like the book, this deadpan celebration of neurosis makes a valiant effort to repress its comedy — which of course makes it funnier." New York Post: "While Murphy never manages to make this crazy quilt dramatically credible, he does hit the mark for laughs and has written some juicy scenes for his excellent cast." The Toronto Globe and Mail: "Wears a deep and sophisticated shade of black."see also: THE SQUID AND THE WHALE,TADPOLE,ROGER DODGER.

It's kind of a shame that our hundredth new release list, which should have been a celebration, is like a total bummer instead. We're reeling from the closure of 18th St. shop. We're feeling a huge loss for our friends and neighbors in Potrero HIll. And, frankly, we're exhausted. So we're going to keep the list very simple.

We hope y'all come by soon and spend some quality time with us at the Cortland Avenue shop. We plan on giving it so much love.

One more bit of sadness: Dana, Blas, Erin and Davey, we're going to miss the heck out of you. Someone offer these guys a job!

yours,4star.

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

THE MOTEL.Comedy/Drama/Independent.Jeffrey Chyau, Sung Kang, Jade Wu.Directed by Michael Kang.RED DOORS.Drama/Independent.Tzi Ma, Jacqueline Kim, Elaine Kao, Freda Foh Shen, Kathy Shao-Lin Lee.Directed by Georgia Lee.* It's a quiet week, but we thought it was pretty neat that two independent films about Asian-Americans stand as the most acclaimed of the mix. Both take place in the American suburbs. RED DOORS tells the story of the Wongs, a bizarrely dysfunctional Chinese-American family living outside of New York. Ed Wong has just retired and plots to escape his mundane life. However, the tumultuous, madcap lives of his three rebellious daughters change his plans. The San Francisco Chronicle: "A gentle, pleasant film about people you genuinely like." In THE MOTEL, 13-year-old Ernest Chin lives and works at a sleazy hourly-rate motel on a strip of desolate suburban bi-way. Misunderstood by his family and blindly careening into puberty, Ernest befriends Sam Kim, a self-destructive yet charismatic Korean American man who has checked in. The Onion: "Like the best independent films, THE MOTEL realizes that life is made up of minor pleasures and tiny epiphanies, not sweeping character arcs or big dramatic moments."

Are you awaiting the day when movies will be simply transmitted to your brain and projected from your thumbnail? The New Yorker recently ran a lengthy editorial about our new film viewing habits. In it, David Denby details how he attempted to watch BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN on a 7-inch portable DVD player, and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN on a 2-inch i-Pod screen. His angle is refreshingly anachronistic: He longs for the days when one would submit to a cinema screen rather than awkwardly attempt to cozy up to a tiny machine.

However you watch your movies, here's a little bid for quality filmmaking rather than an emphasis on ultra-convenient viewing opportunities. We love movies — real movies that tell a worthwhile story. The other day, our staffer Rhodes reminisced about the first time he saw Herk Harvey's CARNIVAL OF SOULS. The sound was garbled, he reckoned, and the print had been through the wars. But it was worth the extra effort: The thing he remembers most is the film itself, which he loved.

yours,team four star.

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED.Documentary.Kirby Dick, Becky Altringer, Kevin Smith, John Waters, Kimberly Peirce, Atom Egoyan, Maria Bello, Darren Aronofsky. Directed by Kirby Dick. * Last week — just ahead of the DVD release of this film — the MPAA issued a vague announcement regarding forthcoming changes in its film ratings process. Have they caved in to pressure? Certainly, it's a testament to how convincingly this film has portrayed the organization as clandestine, opaque, nepotistic and subjective. The documentarian Kirby Dick puts a lot of emphasis on the MPAA's repressed sexuality, compared with slackness when it comes to violence. And the film takes a fun, guerilla-like turn when he hires a sweet-natured private investigator to help investigate the MPAA board. Namely, they attempt to penetrate the guarded anonymity of its members — which only seems fair considering that no public group is monitoring this organization's actions. As Dick and the private dick follow the MPAA board members by car and attempt to contact them by phone, their amateur-like enthusiasm is contagious. Humble yet feisty, THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED recalls the muckraking heyday of Michael Moore.see also: THE CELLULOID CLOSET.

JESUS CAMP.Documentary.Directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady.* Of this documentary about the children of Evangelical Christians, one user on imdb.com posted: "This film made my hair stand on end and I came away from it thinking that the adults in it ought to be indicted for child abuse. These children are being intellectually immobilized in the name of goodness and purity. We can only hope that some of these children get some exposure to reality later which will help them live productive and caring lives as people who can accept the world's diversity. The prospects are not good."see also: HELL HOUSE,THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND.

THE PUFFY CHAIR.Comedy/Independent.Mark Duplass, Kathryn Aselton, Rhett Wilkins.Directed by Jay Duplass.* An obnoxious indie rock dude embarks on a road trip to deliver a Lazy Boy recliner (just like the one from his childhood) as a birthday gift to his father. His needy girlfriend and spacey brother invite themselves along. This project was probably influenced by the unadorned style of early Jim Jarmusch road movies, though it lacks that director's detatched wit. Instead, you get a youthful solopsism that annoys more often than charms. Other critics gave it way more credit. The Portland Oregonian cooed, "In a film culture in which contrived tomfoolery and overinflated emotions stifle in their effort to provide comedy and romance, something as light and precise as THE PUFFY CHAIR feels like more than an exception; it feels like fresh air." Won the Audience Award at the 2005 SXSW Film Festival, and nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards in 2006.see instead: STRANGER THAN PARADISE.

SHERRYBABY.Drama.Maggie Gyllenhaal.Directed by Laurie Collyer.* Most Oscar pundits have pinpointed Maggie Gyllenhaal as the 'underdog' most deserving of a Best Actress nomination. Of course, it helps that she's playing a recovering drug addict with a messy, messy life. (The young actor Ryan Gosling, in the forthcoming DVD release HALF NELSON, was her male counterpart this year.) Entertainment Weekly called Gyllenhaal "a miracle of an actress." The New York Times: "What distinguishes the film from its many peers is the quality of Ms. Collyer’s writing — which rarely reaches for obvious, melodramatic beats — and the precision of Ms. Gyllenhaal’s performance." The Onion: "Theirs is a well-worn story that may not need to be told, but they do tell it well."see also: CLEAN.

............//SERIES//............

HOPELESS PICTURES.Animation/Comedy Series.

............//NEW TO DVD//............

BORDER RADIO. (Criterion Collection edition.)Drama/Independent. 1987.Directed by Allison Anders, Dean Lent and Kurt Voss. * From Criterion Collection: "Before carving out a niche as one of the most distinct voices in '90s American cinema, Allison Anders made her debut, alongside codirectors and fellow UCLA film school students Kurt Voss and Dean Lent, with 1987’s BORDER RADIO. A low-key, semi-improvised postpunk diary that took four years to complete, BORDER RADIO features legendary rocker Chris D., of the Flesh Eaters, as a singer/songwriter who has stolen loot from a club and gone missing, leaving his wife, a no-nonsense rock journalist, to track him down with the help of his friends (including John Doe of the band X). With its sprawling Southern Californian and Mexican landscapes, captured in evocative 16mm black and white, BORDER RADIO is a singular, DIY memento of the indie film explosion in America."see also: THE FILMS OF ALLISON ANDERS.

The cold weather makes for great movie-watching. And when we're not behind the counter or holed up watching DVD's, we're out at the movie theaters!

Here are some of our favorites in theaters now: Almodovar's latest, VOLVER, is as sumptuous and compelling as everyone says. It's a beautiful melodrama filled with gorgeous and special women. Director Stephen Frears concocts an intense microcosmic world in THE QUEEN, about the responses of Queen Elizabeth II and Tony Blair to Princess Diana's sudden passing. Helen Mirren gives a rich performance, her eyes emoting behind a mask of stoicism. It's a performance that, in a strange way, reminds us of Heath Ledger's restraint in last year's BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. The film, the first to treat the subject as far as we know, is masterfully handled. CHILDREN OF MEN is a superb British sci-fi thriller that everyone should see. We saw Four Star alumnus Avi recently, and asked him, "Have you seen CHILDREN OF MEN yet?" "Yep," he chuckled, "that's my kind of movie." An intellectual action movie ripe with careful detail, it is guided by director Alfonso Cuaron's perfectly timed suspense sequences and spot-on performances by Clive Owen, Michael Caine, and breakout actress Claire-Hope Ashitey, who gets our vote for Best Supporting Actress of the year.

There's also an Ernst Lubitsch retrospective playing at the Pacific Film Archive in Berkeley. Along with Preston Sturges and precious few others, Lubitsch made dazzlingly witty comedies back in the black and white days. His sense of style and irony keep the films from feeling dated. Supposedly Billy Wilder had a sign on his office wall that read, "How would Lubitsch have done it?" Take a date, they'll be impressed!

Enjoy,Four Star.

.............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**..............

LA MOUSTACHE.Drama/Mystery. France.Emmanuelle Devos, Vincent Lindon.Directed by Emmanuel Carrère.* Yes, this movie really is about a moustache. Or rather, a man who shaves off his moustache and then begins to totally freak out when nobody around him notices. Believe it or not, this was the most highly reviewed film of the week, compared to Hitchcock by both the New York Times and the Chicago Sun-Times, and called "a mini-masterwork" by the Village Voice. It also won the Director's Fortnight award at the Cannes Film Festival. So the moustache is actually a catalyst to a chilling existentialist thriller. Kind of like SIXTEEN CANDLES, where everybody forgets that it's Molly Ringwald's birthday, but French style.see also: TIME OUT.

THE STREET.British Drama Series.* Anglophiles, rejoice! Here's a new British drama, written by Jimmy McGovern, the man behind the inimitable crime series CRACKER, and starring Jim Broadbent as well as Jane Horrocks of ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS. THE STREET revolves around a row of six adjoining houses in a working class Northern suburb. Be forewarned: This is intense stuff. As you might expect of a 'kitchen sink' drama penned by a crime writer, the series plunges headfirst into the most harrowing of situations, overlaid with near-suffocating feelings of isolation. (And a couple of the characters are literally under the kitchen sink in the first scene.) Director Terry McDonough, a veteran of another crime series, WIRE IN THE BLOOD, employs the quick editing style that has become a trademark of recent British TV. It's a shame that this doesn't work for adrama as it does for crime or comedy: The frentic pace can distract from the superb performances and dilute the emotional impact. Still, any Brit TV fan should give these six episodes a shot. see also: CRACKER.

............//FAMILY//............

GO DIEGO GO: THE GREAT JAGUAR RESCUE!Nick Jr. Animation Program.

*****

****new release list no. 97

Feeling the little winter blues? Why not go green instead: Try a heaping plate of warm kale. Dana simmers hers in water, and adds a little soy sauce and garlic to taste. Jeremy adds fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of sliced almonds or wheat germ. Molly Frances, Arthur Magazine's "New Herbalist," recommended this recipe, with a toss of dried cranberries, as a Christmas treat to serve friends: "Tell them you offer this bowl of nutrient-rich greens to open their heart chakras. They will be so overcome by your gesture of goodwill and caring that that marshmallow santa will be thrown to the ground in favor of real nourishment." The holidays may be over, but a friend in need still deserves a little comfort food from your kitchen, no?

Thank you to all customers who nourished our staff this holiday season with homemade granola, homebaked cookies, jars of honey, crab and spinach pasta, and pizza topped with fresh vegies from your backyard gardens. Yum. And a special shout out to young Calvin, who set up a toast stand (like a lemonade stand, but more wintery, and replete with butters, jams, peanut butter et cetera) out front of our Cortland Avenue shop on New Year's Eve. We hope he does it again. Who doesn't like toast?

As for movies, this is a pretty exciting week, with lots of quality escapism on the menu.

Yours,team four star.

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

QUINCEANERA.Drama/Gay Interest/Independent.Emily Rios, Jesse Garcia, Chalo Gonzalez, David Ross.Directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland.* In this sweetly unexpected drama, the focus is less on the traditional quinceanera — the Latino celebration of a girl's 15th birthday — and more on the transitional state of the Echo Park neighborhood in L.A. With a deliberate sense of place, the filmmakers situate a compelling family story in an Echo Park that is as populated by hip gays and young industry types as it is by old Latino families and their ornate gardens. The intrinsic conflicts, brought to life by characters who find themselves somewhere between the two cultures, feel fresh and real. The details are totally current: Teenagers communicate by text messages. A lucky girl gets to rent a Hummer limo for her quinceanera. High school girls talk about shopping for cheap 'bling' at Target, though we can spot a new-looking American Apparel store a few scenes later. The stories at hand — we won't tell you much about them — are full of love but unsentimental, played out by engaging actors. Cute stuff, and feels close to home in terms of modern urban living. see also: REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES,MI VIDA LOCA.

THE ILLUSIONIST.Mystery.Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewel. Directed by Neil Burger. * Escapism, literally. This movie is like one long magic trick. Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, it was actually filmed largely in the Czech town of Cesky Krumlov, in Bohemia. It is filled with gorgeous sets and landscapes. The plotline is fun to watch unravel, as is Paul Giamatti's over-the-top performance. The rest of the cast is generally uninspired: Vaguely competent American actors doing vague Austrian accents. Fans of the Victorian Gothic aesthetic will find plenty of props and magic tricks to admire (old theaters and hunting lodges, butterflies, a soul manifesting itself from a floor-length mirror). see also: SCOOP.

THE NIGHT LISTENER.Mystery.Robin Williams, Toni Collette, Rory Culkin, Sandra Oh.Directed by Patrick Stettner. Based on the novel by Armistead Maupin.

STREET FIGHT.Documentary. Directed by Marshall Curry.

............//SERIES//............

EXTRAS.British Comedy Series.* From Ricky Gervais, mastermind behind the original OFFICE series, comes this sitcom about working as a film extra. Gervais has humbled himself in more than just occupation, but in persona, as his new character is a bit less clueless but more socially awkward than THE OFFICE's David Brent. Each episode centers around a celebrity guest, the star of whatever film project is at hand. The first episode is Kate Winslet. She offers phone sex advice to a withering female extra, and unwittingly makes fun of a girl with cerebral palsy. A gentle stab at the film business, but it might as well be any heirarchal social situation. You may find yourself grinning at the cleverly observed scenarios more than laughing out loud hysterically. But however you would describe this brand of humor, it's funny stuff. Other guests include Patrick Stewart, Ben Stiller and Samuel L. Jackson. Enjoy!see also: THE OFFICE,I'M ALAN PARTRIDGE.

This week counts a grand total of two new releases: One is the exploitative thriller THE COVENANT, about a bunch of teen warlocks. Critics have called it "utterly stupid," "profoundly mediocre" and "dopey." The other is SNAKES ON A PLANE. This selection is the same the nation over; don't blame us.

Thankfully, we can add two late entries to the mix (British feel-gooder MRS. PALFREY AT THE CLAREMONT and CEASEFIRE, the new romantic comedy from Iran's leading female director).

Plus, we've extended last week's year-end review to include this short list of some of the best "little movies" released on DVD last year.

13 of the Best "Little Movies" on DVD in 2006.

JUNEBUG. Released way back last January, JUNEBUG became one of the most consistent renters of the year, thanks in part to our ongoing campaign to remind customers about this film. It is a deflty wrought and delicate little drama, a happy-sad family reunion that Jamie has called "MEET THE PARENTS for grown-ups." Earned Amy Adams an Oscar nomination, and check for the cameo from Bonnie 'Prince' Billy!

THE DEATH OF MR. LAZARESCU. A critical favorite ("a heartbreakingly powerful masterpiece," said the Christian Science Monitor), this film got mixed reviews from customers. Some were alienated by its bleak sense of humor and bizarre setting. The Romanian film follows a 60-ish widow who takes ill, calls an ambulance and must attempt to gain the help of a disinterested medical system. "Both sad and darkly funny," wrote the Chicago Reader.

DUCK SEASON. An overlooked charmer about Mexican adolescents. Boston Globe: "It's one of the small, pitch-perfect treasures of the movie year."

TOUCH THE SOUND. From the director of ANDY GOLDSWORTHY: RIVERS AND TIDES comes a portrait of percussionist Evelyn Gwynne, who happens to be profoundly deaf. Documentarian Thomas Riedelsheimer is carving a unique path for himself — working alongside the subject to create not a typical biography, but a poetic extention of the art.

BREAKFAST ON PLUTO. An androgynous glam rock boy looks for love amidst the unrest of 1970s Northern Ireland. This film feels like a big, sloppy kiss. As he has with past films like THE CRYING GAME, director Neil Jordan mixes sex with politics in a way that's not so much sensual and epic as gritty and urbane.

THREE TIMES. Taiwanese director Hsiao-hsien Hou uses the same two actors to tell love stories set in three different periods: A 1966 pool hall, a 1911 brothel and present day Taipei. Chicago Tribune: "THREE TIMES is great cinema — pop romance that carries a special charge."

THE PROPOSITION. An intense western in the tradition of Sergio Leone, set in the 1880s Australian outback. Roger Ebert: "A movie you cannot turn away from; it is so pitiless and uncompromising, so filled with pathos and disregarded innocence, that it is a record of those things we pray to be delivered from." Starring Guy Pearce, and written by musician Nick Cave. So, you know, intense.

L'ENFANT. Belgian directorial team Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne are masters of realism, making the camera seem to all but disappear as we are plunged into the grim street life of the poor and disenfranchised. Here, the plotline is cruel: A young father sells his newborn infant on the black market, then tries desperately to rectify his deed. Nearly silent, and stunning.

THE INTRUDER. (pictured) An extraordinarily difficult film: Slow, violent and cryptic, sweeping across snow-blanketed fields that feel like landscapes of anxiety and despair. Somewhere inside the gorgeous and brutal visuals, there is a story of a black market medical procedure and the search for a long lost son. Los Angeles Times: "Never has Denis demanded so much from audiences as with this shimmering enigma, at once intimate and epic, but it's worth the effort and then some."

THAT MAN: PETER BERLIN. If San Franscisco feels short on gay icons these days, be reminded that the magnificent Peter Berlin still lives here. In the '70s, he was a model, club persona and porn actor. He wasn't a dilettante: Berlin's series of elaborate self-portraits is prolific. This trip through his influence on gay aesthetics is a lot of fun, and in present-day interviews, Berlin remains heartbreaking and charming.

BIG ANIMAL. In what may be the most unlikeliest entry, this Polish black-and-white comedy about a camel has become a small-scale hit in our shops. THE NEW YORK POST: "Working from an unfinished script by the late, great Krzysztof Kieslowski, Jerzy Stuhr directs in a laid-back, deadpan style that, at times, recalls Fellini."

LADY VENGEANCE. The third in Chan-woo Park's trilogy, following OLDBOY and SYMPATHY FOR MR. VENGEANCE. Customers absolutely love these movies! Well, those customers who tend to like their crime films incredibly brutal. Wonder whether an American remake is in the works...

Ok, now we'll get over 2006. We can't wait for some of the new year's new releases! We'll keep you posted.

SNAKES ON A PLANE.Action.Samuel L. Jackson.Directed by David R. Ellis.

****

****new release list no. 95

Hopefully you're pleasantly hungover from red wine and from clove and cinammon and nutmeg, from anise and eggnog and things pulled from the garden, from epic movies watched from the couch, to which you nodded off (even against the cacophony of your favorite loud aunt in the kitchen shouting happily). Hopefully you're full. Maybe you saw a friend you haven't for awhile, and he still makes you laugh like nobody else does. Maybe you were nicer to someone you have found yourself being less patient with in the past. Maybe you let yourself relax a little. And maybe became too unwound and let your defenses down and caught a cold. Maybe you induldged a DVD marathon of your favorite series. Maybe it was ROME or THE WIRE, or a British one: TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY, or PRIME SUSPECT? Maybe you went out of town to someplace where the winter smells different. Maybe you visited someone with an impressive train set or handmade wreath or other evidence of fine craftsmanship. Maybe you shared a movie rented from our shop, and told somebody from someplace else about us and about how much we all miss Dave. Hopefully your holidays have been letting a few little sparks fly.

And as we segue into 2007 — yikes! — here's a quick roundup of some notable DVD releases of the past year.

MOVIE YOU THOUGHT MIGHT BE SO-SO BUT WAS ACTUALLY AWESOME. INSIDE MAN. Through the opening sequences, you begin to wonder whether Spike Lee has become a director-for-hire, pulling off a slick bank robbery caper. Slowly, it unfolds into a Spike Lee movie: Here, a rumination on race relations in post-911 New York City. Starring the inimitable Clive Owen, it follows suit from politicized thrillers like THE CONSTANT GARDENER and DIRTY PRETTY THINGS.

BEST WICKED LITTLE FRENCH FILM. (TIE.) LEMMING. Unnerving and weirdly sexy, this sly number starring Charlottes Gainsbourg and Rampling is ultimately effective at doing what French thrillers do best: Confusing you. CACHE. Violently disrupting the bourgeoise, Michael Haneke's CACHE confounds viewers by costantly making you question who is the villain.

MOST UNDERRATED PERFORMANCES. DON'T COME KNOCKIN'. The film suffers slightly from director Wim Wenders' tendency to dwell on personal revelation in a cerebral manner that verges on pretentious. But it is good stuff still, and the performances — from Sam Shephard, Sarah Polley, an on-point Jessica Lange and the triumphant Eva Saint Marie — are quietly astonishing.

BEST MUSIC DOCUMENTARY. (3-WAY TIE.) GRAM PARSONS: FALLEN ANGEL.TOWNES VAN ZANDT: BE HERE TO LOVE ME.THE DEVIL AND DANIEL JOHNSTON. Each of these three outsider musicians havve been burdened with addiction and neurosis; each have created songs resplendent with love and despair. And each documentary is a worthwhile introduction to the artist at hand.

BEST ROLE MODEL FOR "TWEEN" GIRLS. STICK IT. Neither coy and demure nor bratty and materialistic, the atheletes of STICK IT give the BRING IT ON cheerleaders a run for their money. These girls care more about floor routines than beauty routines, and the closest they come to shopping is a disrupive act of performing gymnastics in prom dresses at the local mall.

MOST POSTMODERN. TRISTRAM SHANDY: A COCK AND BULL STORY. A movie about the making of a movie of the 9-volume comic novel from the late 1700s. And a rather failed attempt it is, with ego warfare and costuming problems and of course behind-the-scenes quickies. Like most of director Michael Winterbottom's films, this ambitious and sloppy, what we call a delightful mess.

BEST SERIES: THE WIRE. Hands down. Again. So gritty and complex it makes THE SOPRANOS look simple-minded. Season 3, released on DVD this year, was a slow burn with a huge payoff: It unfolded into an epic soap opera sprawling across the whole city of Baltimore, with Shakespearean overtones. Amazing.

BEST GUILTY PLEASURE. PROJECT RUNWAY. It may be the best reality TV show since the very first season of THE REAL WORLD. The drama is high, but it is the design challenges that got us hooked. Best challenge? A tie between designing a garment out of $50 worth of groceries, in the very first episode of the first season, and season 2's challenge to design a party dress using materials scored from a flower shop.

CLOSEST IT GETS TO LISTLESSLY FLIPPING THE PAGES OF A FASHION MAGAZINE. THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. Well, if that award didn't go to PROJECT RUNWAY, what else? The movie is pretty formulaic, almost trite. But Meryl Streep's hilariously understated performance ups the ante, and in the end it's that rare 90 minutes of escapism that doesn't leave you feeling enraged at the world.

THE HAVE-TO-SEE-IT MOVIE. MATCH POINT. If only to prove whether: Woody Allen still has it. Scarlett Johansson can do a Woody Allen movie. A Woody Allen movie can work set in England. The plot twists are as unpredictable as they say. Well, the answer to all of the above is iffy. The movie is good, though, and totally rentable. So say our customers, who made it one of the most consistently snatched titles of the year.

MOST RENTABLE FILM OF THE YEAR. LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. Ok, it might be overreaching to call it the Best Film of the Year. But for rentability? It's got great writing, a quick pace, a stellar cast, and a winning message. Not too odd to alienate the more mainstream of you — the little girl is not a mean-spirited brat like in WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE; the family, though dysfunctional, stays nuclear — this is the kind of film you wish you got to see more often. LITLLE MISS is already getting a backlash of folks who find themselves "underwhelmed" after all the hype. And it's true this little comedy subscribes quite faithfully to the little comedy formula. But it's a formula we like! Go on, rent it again.

The post-Christmas releases this week are a surprisingly dour selection. Heavy stuff! But maybe an appropriate way to revel in your after-holiday blues.

Keep on,team four star.

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

FACTOTUM.Drama.Matt Dillon, Lili Taylor, Fisher Stevens, Marisa Tomei.Directed by Brent Hamer.* Bringing Bukowski to the big screen is always going to be a hard one, because in his books, the spitfire of the language is as important as plot. For Norweigan minimalist director Brent Hamer, the key could be to build cinematic scenes out of silence. But does that work? "None of it goes anywhere," complained The Village Voice. "It's just stylized alcoholism with a tired wink." Bukowki wrote about L.A.'s underbelly in the crude-but-elegant manner of John Fante, whose novel ASK THE DUST was brought to the screen last year with Colin Farrell. Here we get Matt Dillon (still so handsome, no?) as the gruff anti-hero, a disgruntled laborer. There's a solid supporting cast, including whispering Lili Taylor and brassy Marisa Tomei, and Variety called this "arguably one of the best adaptations of Bukowski's work." The Austin Chronicle adds, "FACTOTUM, for all its grim grind, is funny-serious, and smart-stupid. Just like you after four beers, and me after eight."see also: BARFLY,ASK THE DUST.

............//NEW RELEASES//............

THE BLACK DAHLIA.Drama/Mystery.Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank, Mia Kirshner.Directed by Brian DePalma.* L.A., we've come to know, sees something other than sunshine: A tawdry amorality which birthed the film noir movement, and has continued on through provocative thrillers — think Robert Altman or Cassavettes — that use the city's vapid landscape as a backdrop for existentialist dilemma. Does this deliver that kind of substance, or even style? Not really. But if you're in the mood for an extended "true Hollywood scandal," so be it. It only costs $3.75 to rent.see also: WHERE THE TRUTH LIES.see instead: THE LONG GOODBYE,THE PLAYER,MULLHOLLAND DRIVE.

THE DESCENT.Adventure/Horror. England.Directed by Neil Marshall.* A couple of our friends met us for dinner a few months back, and they had just seen THE DESCENT. They were still pale and quaking in their Vans. "The scariest movie we've ever seen," they claimed, elated by the rush. Since then, customers have told us that it's just as scary the second time around. Jeesh. This is rumoured to be "the scariest movie so far this century," a British thriller about a group of women spelunkers who get stuck down the wrong cave. Fueled by well-developed characters as much as by gore, this falls in a tradition of British horror movies that really give us the chills.see also: 28 DAYS LATER.

GYPO.Drama/Lesbian Interest. England.Directed by Jan Dunn. * GYPO is the first certified Dogme film with a lesbian theme. Dogme is the cinematic movement, co-founded by Lars von Trier, in which a strict set of guidelines is meant to enforce an aspect of genuineness, and avoid the pitfalls of slick special effects. For instance, the actors go uncredited, the lighting and sounds must be found on site rather than overdubbed later, and so on. The experiment has yielded mixed results, varying from Thomas Vinterberg's claustrophobic and affecting THE CELEBRATION through Harmony Korine's sloppy and detatched JULIEN DONKEY BOY. Here, we have received very positive feedback. One user on the imdb website wrote: "Gritty, gripping entertainment. As the film covers the same events from three differing points of view, the plot is gradually fleshed out and brought to a most surprising conclusion. Nothing is as it originally appears. Be prepared to be surprised and absorbed completely in the unfolding, many-layered story."see also: SHOW ME LOVE,PRODUCING ADULTS,MY SUMMER OF LOVE.

JACKASS NUMBER TWO.Documentary/Comedy.Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Spike Jonze, John Waters, Luke Wilson.Directed by Jeff Tremaine.* "Number two?" Get it? As in poo? Oh, wait, you're not a toddler anymore, and you have better things to do with your time. see also: JACKASS THE MOVIE.

THE LAST KISS.Drama.Zach Braff, Jacinda Barrett, Casey Affleck, Rachel Bilson, Harold Ramis, Blythe Danner, Tom Wilkinson.Directed by Tony Goldwyn. * Zach Braff has quickly become a target for too-cool media types. He successfully dummied down indie movies to the lowest common denominator with GARDEN STATE, a cheap imitation of '70s classic THE GRADUATE. He has "championed" indie bands that already have a built-in audience, and basically just all around makes you want to punch that pouty face. Though this time around he isn't directing or writing, this remains a Zach Braff movie: His name is now a synonym for mediocrity. see also: GARDEN STATE.

............//NEW TO DVD//............

THE CONFORMIST.Drama/Thriller. Italy. 1970.Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci.* In the seminal 1992 documentary VISIONS OF LIGHT, clips from movies like THE GODFATHER, BADLANDS and MCCABE AND MRS. MILLER are used to illuminate the art of cinematography. An extended clip from Bertolucci's beautiful-looking early work THE CONFORMIST piqued film geeks' interest in seeing the film in its entirity, but until now, it has remained incredibly hard to come by. This is a true moment, then, for those film geeks: Will this sensual study of violence and romance amid Italian fascism deliver the goods? Here it is in all its glory, and then some. (The DVD boasts an "extended version" of the original cut.)

CREATIVITY EXPLORED ANIMATED.Animation. 1999-2004. Facilitated by Todd Herman. CROSS YOUR EYES, KEEP THEM WIDE.Documentary. 2006.Directed by Ben Wu.* Two short films from Creativity Explored, San Francisco's resource center for differently-abled artists. Their work is inspired, and the first disc of this 2-set rental sees select creations come to life through animation. The second short film is a documentary about the organization.

Yes, 'tis the season to go shopping. Which can be such a bore! Here are a few of our suggestions...

Buy Used. Rather than perpetuate the mass production which threatens to weigh us all down and wreck the environment, take advantage of San Francisco's wealth of used goods shops. Our stylish staff members vote for THE PAINTED BIRD as best vintage clothing shop (www.paintedbird.org). There's a chic selection of reasonably priced clothes, plus jewelry and other things by local artisans. Cool! Next door is the amazing antique shop, GYPSY HONEYMOON. A lot of us buy our used books at one of Kate's three shops: PHOENIX in Noe Valley, RED HILL BOOKS in Bernal Heights, and DOG EARED BOOKS on Valencia (www.dogearedbooks.com). There's always a bunch of cheap finds on hand, plus unique specialty items for the antiquarian in your household. And we also love THE SOUND WELL (www.thesoundwell.com) in Berkeley for used stereo equipment.

Buy Experience. How about a gift certificate to one of the fine restaurants in Bernal or Potrero? Or a massage, yoga class, rock climbing session, et cetera? Of course, there's always a Four Star gift certificate. These are gifts that people will actually use — and won't sit around adding clutter to the house.

Buy Local. Check out Collage Gallery on 18th Street, or Heartfelt on Cortland Avenue. And we can't help but plug the now-iconic Four Star Video t-shirt, featuring a VHS tape drawn by artist Simon Evans. We always overhear boyfriends telling girlfriends, or kids telling their parents, how cool they think the shirt is. We do, too: You'll notice our staff members regularly sporting the shirt, and we're not even obliged! We sell the gamut of sizes in sweatshop-free American Apparel cotton.

Buy Nothing. Instead, make a donation in somebody's name to an awesome charity. Some of our favorites are... CREATIVITY EXPLORED (www.creativityexplored.org), with which you can support great art made by differently-abled persons. With FRIENDS OF THE URBAN FOREST (www.fuf.net), you can plant a tree in a friend's name for just $25! And, of course, the two charities selected by Dave's family, to which you can donate "In Memory of David Ayoob": THE AMERICAN HEART FOUNDATION (https://donate.americanheart.org) and HORIZONS FOUNDATION (www.horizonsfoundation.org).

But most of all, we hope you will be able this holiday season to take some quality time: A delectable meal, a long hike, a game of Scrabble... Be with the ones you love and cherish the moments. This challenging year has helped us get our priorities straight. Your time with each other is precious.

lovefour star.

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE.Comedy.Abigail Breslin, Greg Kinnear, Paul Dano, Alan Arkin, Toni Collette, Steve Carell.Directed by Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris. * Oh, how we love a good dysfunctional family road trip. Here's the best one we've seen in years. Smart, a bit odd, and ultimately affirming, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE will make you laugh and maybe even cry. The writing is sweet and quirky ("Everyone: Pretend that you're normal!"), and the plot twists are unpredictable and comically dead-on. The cast is stellar: It's great to be in the presence of Alan Arkin again. Toni Collette melts your heart, as always. Steve Carell is understated and affecting. Little miss sunshine herself, Abigail Breslin, is naturalistic and adorable without being overly precious. And how perfect is that yellow VW bus? What a great little movie. The DVD comes with four alternate endings, which seems really strange for this sort of project. see also: THE DAYTRIPPERS,THE SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS,FLIRTING WITH DISASTER.

THE BEALS OF GREY GARDENS. (Criterion Collection edition.)Documentary. Directed by Albert Maysles & David Maysles.* An entirely new film built on the unused footage from their 1975 classic, GREY GARDENS, this film works on the assumption that you have already seen the first film, thus diving headfirst into its complex character study without exposition. Here it is then: Mother and daughter "Big" and "Little" Edie Beale are high-society dropouts and reclusive cousins of Jackie O. The film captures them amid the decay and disorder of their ramshackle East Hampton mansion. GREY GARDENS has inspired a thousand knockoffs and drag queen acts. In a sense, this new version may be only for die-hard fans: It can be difficult enough to get through the crazed posturing in the first film. This will be considered a treasure, though, to those nutty neoterics who can't get enough of these bizarre and special women. see also: GREY GARDENS.

A SCANNER DARKLY.Animation/Mystery/Sci-Fi.Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, Rory Cochrane.Directed by Richard Linklater. * The director Richard Linklater pioneered something interesting when he deposited computer animation over live action footage with his meandering and uplifting piece, WAKING LIFE. Now he seems to want to harness the technical innovation for a story that is both tighter and darker. Based on a Philip K. Dick novel, A SCANNER DARKLY succeeds at creating a compelling sense of paranoia, but it winds up feeling a little too predictable and even shallow. The plot — let's just say it involves rampant drug abuse in the near future — is intriguing enough, but it dawdles a bit and goes nowhere special. It must be said, the acting is pretty jofyul to behold. Richard Linklater is just so '90s: Look at that cast! It's like '90s rehab. And though this film reminds us of the sort of thing that video store geeks of the '90s would love: Think 12 MONKEYS, THE FIFTH ELEMENT or even THE MATRIX. this one will, though it will keep you interested, just doesn't quite stand up on its own.see also: WAKING LIFE.

TIME TO LEAVE.Drama. France.Melvil Poupaud, Jeanne Moreau. Directed by Francois Ozon. * Director Francois Ozon keeps alive the 'postmodern melodrama,' in the manner of Rainer Werner Fassbinder. His evocative and mysterious films include SWIMMING POOL and UNDER THE SAND, both of which starred Charlotte Rampling. Here he uses another film icon, Jeanne Moreau, in a complicated story laced with tenderness. A successful fashion photographer with terminal cancer refuses chemotherapy, acts cruelly to his lover and nasty to his pregnant sister, and is uncommunicative to his loving and supportive parents. Heavy stuff, then, and not to everyone's holiday mood, to be sure. But those who like intense and stylish French films should check this one out. see also: LEMMING,CACHE,UNDER THE SAND.

I'M ALAN PARTRIDGE, SERIES 1.BBC Comedy.* One of our very favorite sitcoms of all time, starring Steve Coogan of TRISTRAM SHANDY and 24 HOUR PARTY PEOPLE. This was previously only available as a British import, meaning you could only view it on an "all regions" DVD player. Now the rest of us with regular players get to partake in this hilarious treat! I'M ALAN PARTRIDGE picks up where Coogan's prior series, KNOWING ME KNOWING YOU, left off. On that show, Coogan played Alan Partridge, a unbelievably terrible talk show host. The format of the series was the talk show itself: Guests were offended, set pieces were destroyed, and so on. It ended with a disastrous Christmas special, and the grande finale was that the show was cancelled on air by the head of the BBC. Now the has-been host is forced to take a job as a middle-of-the-night radio DJ in the middle-of-nowhere (a town called Norwich). His ego prevents him from actually moving to Norwich, and so instead he sets himself up in a "travel lodge" off the freeway — mid-way between London and that town. The Ramada-type place is completely generic, and happens to be undergoing rennovations. This purgatory-like premise may be the most brilliant in all of sitcom history. Partrige proceeds to alienate the hotel staff, meet a bunch of Norwich weirdos, and try desperately to get back to London and the BBC. If you like your sitcom protagonists completely ridiculous (think Basil Fawlty, Larry David or David Brent), this is for you. Alan Partridge may be a bigger goon than all of those men combined!see also: FAWLTY TOWERS,CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM,THE OFFICE.

THE SIMPSONS, SERIES 9.FOX Animation/Satire.

WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE.HBO Documentary Mini-Series.Directed by Spike Lee.* This four-part event, or "requiem," won 3 awards at the Venice Film Festival. Spike Lee takes on Hurricane Katrina with a deeply personal approach. The New Yorker: "The most magnificent and large-souled record of a great American tragedy ever put on film." Entertainment Weekly: "Extraordinary." The New York Times: "Powerful." The Seattle Post-Intelligencer: "Will stand as a monumental document."

............//NEW TO DVD//............

SYMBIOPSYCHOTAXIPLASM TAKE ONE. (Criterion Collection edition.)Documentary. 1968.Directed by William Greaves.* From Criterion: "A one-of-a-kind fiction/documentary hybrid. Director William Greaves presides over a beleaguered film crew in New York's Central Park, leaving them to try to figure out what kind of movie they're making. A couple enacts a break-up scenario over and over, a documentary crew films a crew filming the crew, locals wander casually into the frame: The project defies easy description. Yet this wildly innovative '60s counterculture landmark remains one of the most tightly focused and insightful movies ever made about making movies." This rental also includes the sequel, SYMBIOPSYCHOTAXIPLASM TAKE 2 1/2, which was made 35 years later with executive producers Steven Soderbergh and Steve Buscemi. see also: TRISTRAM SHANDY: A COCK AND BULL STORY,MY DINNER WITH ANDRE,FLIRT.

****

****new release list no. 93

It's a testament to the reach of Dave's civic commitment that articles about his life have appeared in The Chronicle, The Examiner and in the front page editorial of The Guardian. He'd feel honored to leave behind a legacy so worthy of column inches. But there's a few places where we'd like to set the record straight: Dave did not, as both The Chronicle and The Examiner stated, wear a top hat. There's also no need for journalists to speak about Four Star in the past tense: Our steadfast crew has kept shop open dutifully, and with all the energy we can muster.

We have been laden with very heavy hearts these past weeks. But we're also working through it. And if you come into our shops and find us having a laugh, we hope you don't think we're doing any dishonor to Dave. He liked the shops best when they were at their most bustling and festive. We've been looking around the shop to see friends bumping into each other, greeting with gleeful hugs... It would make Dave happy, because it's exactly the kind of place we've always wanted to create.

xoteam four star.

P.S. You can catch a screening by our very own staff member, Davey Yun, who studies film at the San Francisco Art Institute when not behind the cash register. His work will appear on Thursday the 14th at the SFAI Film Graduate Student Extravagana, 5-7 pm at Swell Gallery's 3rd Street Studios (at 22nd).

.............**//NEW RELEASE LIST//**............

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA.Comedy.Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Adrian Grenier, Stanley Tucci.Directed by David Frankel.* In recent years, Manhattan has become a sort of gleaming theme park version of itself, and it's filled with pretty young women in overly expensive clothes who probably have jobs like Andy in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. Once a slightly dowdy Nortwestern graduate intending to be a serious journalist uncovering social injustices, Andy has landed a job for Miranda Priestly, the maniacal editor of a fashion magazine called RUNWAY. Andy works all night and is still on call early in the morning. She's underpaid and underappreciated, and ridiculed for being a size 6. She is given impossible tasks, like being ordered to find Miranda's daughters copies of the unpublished new Harry Potter manuscript. The story isn't especially nuanced (it ain't THE BELL JAR), but it succeeds as an entertainment and light expose. In a sense, the fashion industry is too easy of a target: It provided a foil to the late great Robert Altman, with one of his weakest releases, READY TO WEAR, in which he seemed intent on proving that the industry is shallow. Duh. But while this isn't really a better film, it's a tighter one. And it is enlivened by a great cast, with an understated Meryl Streep as the snaky editor at its center. Basically, this plays like a long episode of FELCITY, but with Meryl Streep. It's not bad, and it'll provide ample escapism for many of you. The depiction of New York City as cutthroat and icy will either make you want to book a ticket out for a glamorous New Year's party, or give you relief that you're out here in the West, where we spend more time composting than shopping for shoes.see also: FUNNY FACE.

MATERIAL GIRLS.Comedy/Family.Hilary Duff, Haylie Duff, Anjelica Huston, Lukas Haas. Directed by Martha Coolidge.* Well, we'd never want to alienate our "tweens," that goldmine demographic so dedicated to the newest of the new. But why is it all BRATZ and MEAN GIRLS these days? Whatever happened to Hayley Mills and cat detectives, to Scout from TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and wild hearts that couldn't be broken? This newest, from director Martha Coolidge (who started fresh with VALLEY GIRL in 1983 and has dissolved into stuff like this and its predecessor, THE PRINCE AND ME) stars some famous apple dumpling starlet and — wow! — her little sister. This is like the junior version of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA: Both satirizing and perpetuating glossy consumer culture.see instead: DROP DEAD GORGEOUS,CLUELESS,JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS.

THREE AMIGOS.Comedy/Adventure. 1986.Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Patrice Martinez.Directed by John Landis. * There's a young lady whose family has come to our shop since forever, and by now she wears make-up and studies algebra and might be a little embarrassed by this story. But we do remember a time, about five years ago when she was maybe ten years old, and she discovered a copy of THREE AMIGOS on VHS, and was so smitten with the movie that she wanted all her friends to see it. We talked a lot about the funny parts of the movie, like the singing cactus. We recalled what a great little comedy it is, with that stellar cast of classic funnies in sombreros. We instantly added it to our list of movies that "all family members can enjoy together." (Others include THE GOONIES, INNERSPACE, INDIANA JONES...) Now it's here on DVD. Good fun. see also: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS.

****

****new release list no. 92

Dear friends,

Early in the morning of Sunday, November 26, we lost our partner in business and in friendship, David Ayoob, to a heart attack. There has been an immense outpouring of love and support from the Bernal Heights community, as well as intense grief. On the morning of December 2, we were informed that Dave's domestic partner, Leo Laxamana, also passed away. Leo was a fabulous friend to us. He had been long unwell and was preparing for his eventual passing. Dave's care and support got Leo through many hard times. Now it seems that together they have found rest.

Because of the shock of Dave's sudden death at 53 years old, it is difficult to think past our sadness and to treat this moment as a celebration of his life. But we owe it to Dave's positive personality to say a few things here.

Dave approached small business as not only a means for personal contentment, but as a way to build community. It seems impossible that one man could touch so many. As one of our friends put it, "With all of his commitments, I wondered, how did he find room in his heart for me?" He guided friends, family and colleagues through aspects of personal growth as well as through times of worry. He was a true people person. As a small business owner, philanthropist, volunteer and Co-President of the Cortland Merchant's Association, he set a shining example of what one individual can contribute to society. From planting trees and cleaning sidewalks to spearheading campaigns to raise money for local schools, Dave's generosity is as famous as his flamboyant sense of style. Dave leaves behind two lovely daughters, Kelly and Julie; his mother; and a humble but deeply meaningful legacy of local business. In honor of his civic commitment, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors plans to adjourn a meeting next week in his name.

Leo Laxamana leaves behind his mother, siblings and many great friends. Thanks to an arrangement with the Neptune Society of Northern California, Leo's ashes will be scattered on the San Francisco Bay. This final gesture is fitting for a man who's passionate life was so rooted in the Bay Area.

A memorial service will be held for David Ayoob at 2pm on Saturday, December 9, at St. Kevin's Church on Cortland Avenue. This will entail formal mass, but will also be a celebration of life. Everyone is encouraged to dress brightly in honor of Dave's exuberant style.

Both of our shops will be closed on that day, Saturday the 9th, so that our staff may take time to mourn for Dave and Leo.

The passing of director Robert Altman has prompted waiting lists for the ambitious and iconoclastic works of this American master. Like most of the greats, he was known less for his consistency than for blistering sparks of genius. So, where to begin? Here are a few of our recommendations:

M*A*S*H is perhaps Altman's most notorious work, a war satire that fuses comedy with melancholy in the best '70s fashion. NASHVILLE, filled with great music written by the cast members themselves, is an incisive and surprising look at the '70s country music scene. We love the challenging revisionist Western MCCABE AND MRS. MILLER, starring Warren Beatty and Julie Christie (and with music by Leonard Cohen). THE LONG GOODBYE, a Los Angeles noir starring Elliot Gould, is one of Altman's best kept secrets. THE PLAYER, starring Tim Robbins, is a thriller that depicts the Hollywood system as both shallow and sisnister. 3 WOMEN, one of Altman's most abstract works, is a meandering and mysterious character study. As a celebration of the eccentricities of modern females, it fits nicely alongside the play-like COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN. The interwoven storylines of SHORT CUTS, based on stories by Raymond Carver, have set a new model for film narrative that can be felt, amongst other places, in the works of PT Anderson (BOOGIE NIGHTS, MAGNOLIA), as well as — perhaps with less elegance — in last year's Oscar winner CRASH. GOSFORD PARK, an upstairs-downstairs British murder mystery, is one of the director's most compelling recent works. His very last, A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION, is not one of his best, but makes for an appropriate swan song, if only for its subject matter — the end of a beloved old-fashioned radio show.

xofour star.

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

SUPERMAN RETURNS.Adventure/Comics.Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, Parker Posey.Directed by Bryan Singer.* Honestly, Superman has got to be the most boring comic book hero: He's a do-gooder with no dark secrets, little psychological complexity and a boring downfall (kryptonite). It doesn't help that the new Superman, though he fills out the suit impressively, is a wooden actor. And Lois Lane, played charmlessly by Kate Bosworth, is only interesting because she picked up cigarette smoking after Superman last left her. You may find yourselves rooting for the bad guys — because of the enticingly camp performances by film darlings Kevin Spacey and Parker Posey. Their casting was an inspired intervention that keeps the film on its toes. Other than that, this is more or less what you'd expect: A slick, sometimes fun, ultimately soul-less entertainment. see instead: BATMAN BEGINS.

A STAR IS BORN.Drama/Musical. 1976.Barbra Streisand, Kris Kristofferson, Gary Busey.Directed by Frank Pierson.* The version of choice amongst our customers, far exceeding the 1934 original or Judy Garland remake because of its appealing context of '70s Americana rock and roll. Babs Streisand is, as always, shockingly talented and a little annoying. Kris Kristofferson, as usual: Shockingly handsome and a little vapid. Fun stuff, though.see also: NASHVILLE,THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT.

****

****new release list no. 90

This Thanksgiving, how about a slice of humble pie? The big release this week, along with ICE AGE: THE MELTDOWN, is the environmental cautionary tale AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH. It may not make for sweet relief, but certainly will get conversation started. We've even caught wind of customers who plan on going over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house with DVDs of documentaries like IRAQ FOR SALE and WHY WE FIGHT in tow. Sounds like a food fight! For those who wish to stay on the safe side, we recommend all the great classics and old family favorites. Keep in mind that the day before Thanksgiving is $1 Wednesday. How convenient.

with love,family four star.

.............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH.Documentary.Al Gore.Directed by Davis Guggenheim.* This film is mostly comprised of footage from Al Gore's compelling slide show on global warming, a presentation he has given a thousand times all over the world. Gore remains a political figure, but he seems bent on providing an oppoiste to the reigning campaign style: He comes across as earnest and intellectual; even the name of the film is quite bold considering what we typically think Americans want to hear. (How about "An Easy Reassurance?") Gore's images and statistical charts point to a bleak forecast for the catastrophic results of our planet's rising temperatures, and he makes an irrefutable case that we humans are responsible for this mess. Gore's science is accessible and his presentation laced with self-effacing humor. His predictions are very scary, but he also attempts to instill some optimism that we as a civilization are capable of the technological innovation and responsible decision-making that can help prevent the earth's rapid decline. Director David Guggenheim's documentary is briskly paced and dotted with anecdotes from Gore's personal and professional life. Though intimate and revelatory, these tableaus also veer unfortunately towards political image-building. That said, this remains a very important film. Roger Ebert wrote: "In 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are: You owe it to yourself to see this film. If you do not, and you have grandchildren, you should explain to them why you decided not to."see also: WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR?,THE FUTURE OF FOOD.

SCOOP.Comedy/Mystery.Woody Allen, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Ian McShane. Directed by Woody Allen.* It seems that magic is "in," as we've seen evidenced by the recent releases THE ILLUSIONIST and THE PRESTIGE. As a movie theme, magic is almost as "hot" as dance! Now here is a Woody Allen tale based around tricks of the trade, and it is set in London just like his hit from last year, MATCH POINT. While SCOOP was not nearly as adored by critics or audiences as its predecessor, it does boast an extremely "in" cast, including cinematic hotties Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johansson. see also: MATCH POINT.

For a while now, we've been pushing TV series like THE WIRE, DEADWOOD, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. Honestly, the 100 minute Hollywood movie is so rarely worth the time these days. Though we are still excited by independent and foreign cinema, we feel that some of the best mainstream American stuff now comes in the series format. It's flexible (you can watch one 40 minute episode or do a back-to-back marathon) and it gives you the chance to get to know characters over a long arc.

Well, now we've come to confess our newest favorite: It seems that at least half of our staff is seriously addicted to PROJECT RUNWAY! Granted, this reality competition about young clothing designers is totally cheesy. And, as Nick says on the 2nd season, "Campy with a capitol C," as well as "g-g-g-gay." But the design challenges — make an evening dress out of $50 worth of groceries, an iconic garment from 6 yards of muslin and $20, a figure skating outfit, a postal uniform — are really fascinating to watch. It's both frustrating and inspiring to watch creativity work within the constraints of commercial design. And of course there's lots of ego and backstabbing and so on.

There's also been a spate of TV shows turned into movies — such as SERENITY, based on the Joss Whedon series FIREFLY, and this week's "release of the week," STRANGERS WITH CANDY.

It seems like the rain and chill is now upon us. Our shops are getting crowded with customers. Ask us about our TV series recommendations: We'll be happy to point you to British comedies, nature programs, the range of hit HBO series... all sorts of stuff... Then you can stock up for a good hibernation.

yoursteam four star.

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

STRANGERS WITH CANDY.Comedy/Independent.Amy Sedaris, Greg Hollimon, Paul Dinello, Stephen Colbert, Deborah Rush, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker.Directed by Paul Dinello.* It feels punk to choose this lewd and crude comedy as the "release of the week" over THE DA VINCI CODE. As anyone who's caught the TV show of the same name can attest, this is not for everyone. The humor of creator/star Amy Sedaris shares her brother David's affection for the messy and the absurd, but where his comic essays are literate and anecdotal, Amy's work is highly physical, often grotesque, deliberately adolescent and totally over-the-top. The premise of STRANGERS WITH CANDY revolves around Sedaris' Jerri Blank, a former prostitute and junkie who has cleaned up her act and, at 46, enlisted herself as a high school freshman. The format loosely emulates the moralistic "After School Special" dramas from the '80s, tweaking everything to convey a total irreverence towards adult authority and a reversal of sexual mores. The transition from Comedy Central series is a bit uneasy: The actors don't quite seem to fill the big screen like they do the television set, and there's a sort of effortfulness that never plagued the insouciant TV show. Still, along with Sarah Silverman and that Ali G./Borat guy, this ranks with contemporary comedy's most provocative stuff. see also: STRANGERS WITH CANDY (SERIES).

...........//NEW RELEASES//............

49 UP.Documentary.Directed by Michael Apted.* The lastest addition in one of the more ambitious documentary film projects ever, an ongoing record of the same group of regular British citizens, filmed every seven years. Both of our shops stock all previous installments, starting with SEVEN UP and 14UP. Both life affirming and melancholic, this intriguing and subtle project will long stand as an archive of the ages. see also: THE UP SERIES.

ACCEPTED.Comedy/Teen.Directed by Steve Pink.

BROTHERS OF THE HEAD.Drama. England.Harry Treadaway, Luke Treadaway.Directed by Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe.* From IFC Films: "The feverish, mind-bending odyssey of conjoined twins Tom and Barry Howe who were plucked from obscurity by a 1970s music promoter and groomed into a boy band."see also: BREAKFAST ON PLUTO,TWIN FALLS, IDAHO.

JOYEUX NOEL.Drama/War. France.Directed by Christian Carion. * This is the Oscar-nomintated story about a World War I battlefield on Christmas Eve, and the soldiers from Germany, France and the UK who chose to lay down their weapons for a game of soccer. Sounds like way more fun. And this gentle try at pacifism met with nearly universal acclaim from film critics. see also: NO MAN'S LAND,A VERY LONG ENGAGEMENT.

LEONARD COHEN: I'M YOUR MAN.Music Documentary.Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave, Antony, Bono, Linda Thompson, Beth Orton, Jarvis Cocker, Rufus Wainwright.Directed by Lian Lunson.* This documentary interestingly and somewhat awkwardly combines interviews with Cohen (who remains charming and elegant at 70 years old) with a live tribute concert featuring some of today's notable balladeers. Cohen speaks frankly about his approach to music and poetry; his hindsight accentuates the playfulness and love of beauty inherent in his often melancholic works. In interviews, his openness and lucidity put Bob Dylan to shame and will remind you why he's one of your favorite songwriters. The film is a rather reverent and unspeculative look at the artist, not the sort of depthful portrait we've seen recently in the films about Daniel Johnston or Townes Van Zandt. The concert footage is often moody and intriguing, although it sometimes feels that the acts are unable to rise to the challenge of the material, particularly in the case of shallow showman Rufus Wainwright and his similarly overwrought sister, Martha. It may just be a matter of taste, but their numbers really seem to poop on the party. see also: TOWNES VAN ZANDT: BE HERE TO LOVE ME,GRAM PARSONS: FALLEN ANGEL,NEIL YOUNG: HEART OF GOLD.

SOPHIE SCHOLL: THE FINAL DAYS.Drama/War. Germany.Directed by Marc Rothemund.

THREE CROWNS OF THE SAILOR.Drama/Fantasy. France. 1983.Directed by Raoul Ruiz.

****

****new release list no. 88

Our most alert readers will have noticed that last week's list never happened. The shipment entailed an especially tiny number of releases, and what with Halloween festivities and all, we opted to combine those titles with this week's arrivals.

Of course we missed you (dearly) and we love you, clearly, because here we are with another list — two week's worth — a little skimp on the reviews, but a list none the less. By the way, if you're wondering why the selection has been a little dry lately, don't forget that the studios save up the good stuff, or the big stuff anyway, the Academy nominees and the like, for the holiday season and winter. There's hope around the bend. In the meantime, we recommend renting old classics, TV series and documentaries. We've been feeling cozy lately, watching Yasujiro Ozu and Peter Bogdanovich movies, ABOUT A BOY, HAROLD AND MAUDE, E.T., episodes of THE GOLDEN GIRLS, David Attenborough's nature programs for BBC, and even the sweet British children's program CHARLIE AND LOLA. What makes you feel cozy?

love,four star.

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

CARS.Animation.Voiced by Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Cheech Marin, Tony Shalhoub, Jennifer Lewis, Katherine Helmnond, Michael Keaton.Directed by John Lasseter and Joe Ranft.* For the arrival of CARS, in which an all-star cast plays a bunch of anthropomorphized vehicles, we've devised a game for you to play with your friends: If you were to provide the voice for a car, which car would it be? A BMW 2002, a Benz, Bug, truck, muscle car, sedan, van, SAAB, Volvo wagon or Subaru?It's pretty fun. How does your self-image compare with your friends' image of you? Oh, and as for the movie: It's Pixar's seventh, with songs by Randy Newman and all. Quality credentials, although the slick and often impersonal look of CGI animation is dating fast. see also: FINDING NEMO,THE INCREDIBLES,TOY STORY.

............//NEW RELEASES//............

THE BLOOD OF MY BROTHER: A STORY OF DEATH IN IRAQ.Documentary.Directed by Andrew Berends.

LITTLE MAN.Comedy.Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans.Directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans.* Yes, this is a movie about a "pint-sized" jewel thief who dresses as a baby in order to hide from the authorities, and is able to find a nice couple to take him into their home and change his diapers without noticing that the short man is not a baby. No, we did not make this up. However, we should all collectively take responsibility for our culture hitting a new all-time low. see instead: TOOTSIE.

BAND OF GOLD.British Mini-Series.Samantha Morton.Written by Kay Mellor.

HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREETS, COMPLETE SERIES 1 -7.NBC Crime Drama.* Now surpassing THE SOPRANOS and SIX FEET UNDER, the amazing show THE WIRE has become the favorite HBO series of our clientele and staff. A gritty drama with storylines that sprawl across the city of Baltimore, it is the work of David Simon, former Baltimore Sun journalist and author of the 1991 book HOMICIDE: A YEAR ON THE KILLING STREETS. The TV show that followed, HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREETS, ran from 1993-1999, and is widely considered to be one of the most underrated television shows of recent years, and the key in revitalizing the genre of police dramas. Whether you are starting here, backpeddling from THE WIRE, or revisiting a series you already knew well, we are very pleased that every episode is now available to rent. see also: THE WIRE.

WHOEVER SAYS THE TRUTH SHALL DIE.Documentary. 1981. Netherlands.Directed by Philo Bregstein.* The provocative director Pier Paolo Pasolini was brutally run over by his own car in 1975 on a beach near Rome. While a young street hustler was arrested and confessed to the crime, he later retracted his statement, alluding to three strangers who may have killed Pasolini due to his political or sexual views. Revelations in 2005 suggest Pasolini may actually have been murdered by an exortionist. In 1981, this documentary treated the subject of Pasolini's death as well as his prolific career. Talking heads include Bernardo Bertolucci. see also: Z CHANNEL:A MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION.

****

****new release list no. 87

Boo!

There are a lot of Halloween-themed arrivals this week. Honestly, the video industry has laid it on kind of thick with a bunch of so-so scary movies. Check 'em out, but don't forget that newer doesn't always mean better, in fact it seldom does, and we'll be happy to point you towards other spooky tales... Stuff like THE SHINING, THE CHANGELING, THE TENTANT, THE COLLECTOR, SUSPIRIA, George A. Romero's MARTIN, DONNIE DARKO, POLTERGEIST, LOST HIGHWAY, and of course John Carpenter's HALLOWEEN...

Ocassionally, we'll mention recent new releases that are generating good word-of-mouth, as a chance for us all to catch up. Here we go:

Believe it or not, STICK IT — the teen gymnastics movie — has amassed a following. Not as sardonic as BRING IT ON, the film really hangs off its impressive aerobic routines. But it also offers up surprisingly cool young female protagonists and, perhaps even more shockingly, boasts a really great visual design. Word is incredibly strong on THE DEVIL AND DANIEL JOHNSTON, a dark and moving documentary about the manic depressive musician. Something about the film feels transcendent. Meaning all types like it: You don't need to be a bedheaded hipster with a penchant for beer-stained '90s indie rock. But that always helps. Word is totally mixed on THE BREAK-UP. Critics found plenty to criticize, but amongst non-film-snobs, it is generally considered to be a potent look at two heterosexuals drifting apart. Not quite SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE, but along those lines. THANK YOU FOR SMOKING is renting consistently and earning good marks, if only because it's rare that an American comedy comes along with a dose of style and smarts. Same goes for FRIENDS WITH MONEY, the caustic tragicomedy from talented director Nicole Holofcener. For pure tragedy, we can't think of anything lower in the depths than the Dardenne brothers' exquisitely realistic and wrenchingly gritty L'ENFANT, a tale of two terribly unfit young parents. And INSIDE MAN, a riveting heist movie with a Spike Lee twist, has topped our top renting list for several weeks in a row. It's the one to beat.

Happy Halloween!love four star.

............**//RELEASE OF THE WEEK//**............

THE ROAD TO GUANTANAMO.Drama. England. (English and Urdu languages.)Riz Ahmed, Farhad Harun, Waqar Siddiqui, Afran Usman, Shahid Iqbal.Directed by Michael Winterbottom and Mat Whitecross.* Combining documentary footage with dramatization, this is a terrifying first-hand account of three British citizens held for two years without charges in the American military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Ruthe Stein at the San Francisco Chronicle writes: "A film that must be seen to understand the sad truths of our times." But David Denby at the New Yorker worries: "The filmmakers’ habit of obfuscating key points makes us wonder whether somebody is lying." Jonathan Rosenbaum at the Chicago Reader pipes in: "The film is compelling to the extent that the subject is, but also unimaginative and unsurprising." That critic is at the extreme end, however, of a generally favorable gamut of reviews. And with this release, co-director Winterbottom continues to establish himself as a sloppy, capricious, exuberant and hugely ambitious director — frankly, one of the more interesting film artists working today.see also: MIDNIGHT EXPRESS,PUNISHMENT PARK.

...........//NEW RELEASES//...........

AN AMERICAN HAUNTING.Suspense/Horror.Donald Sutherland, Sissy Spacek, Rachel Hurd-Wood, James D'Arcy.Directed by Courtney Solomon.

FAMILIA RODANTE. (ROLLING FAMILY.)Comedy. Argentina.Directed by Pablo Trapero.* Sort of like a Latino LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE: Funny family members accompany grandma in a cross-country journey in a 1956 Chevy Viking Camper. New York Post: "Low key and realistic." The New York Times: "Not a movie of ideas but an emotional and tactile experience of economy-class travel." Salon.com: "Thoroughly wonderful."see also: BREAD AND TULIPS.

SIGMOND AND THE SEA MONSTERS, SERIES 1.Retro Kids' Series. 1973.Produced by Syd and Marty Krofft.

THE TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER.Family. England. 1971.Directed by Reginald Mills.

............//NEW TO DVD//............

LA COMMUNE (PARIS, 1871).Historical Drama/Long Format. France. 2000.Directed by Peter Watkins. * Posted by one user on imdb.com: "Absolutely the most effective film I have ever seen for promping the viewer to become involved in the film itself. The actors are not actors and they talk about real things; they are not even improvising. They address concerns of today and of the time in which they are play-acting (1871). They are not so different and go a long way to suggesting nothing has changed. Like watching CNN for a breaking news story, LA COMMUNE gives the viewer a real-time feel and a sense of the complexity of each moment (though I suppose CNN doesn't really do that). A thrilling experience."see also: THE CINEMA OF PETER WATKINS.

THEY ALL LAUGHED.Comedy. 1981.Audrey Hepburn, Ben Gazzara, John Ritter, Patti Hansen, Dorothy Stratten.Directed by Peter Bogdanovich.* What a treat! Bumbling detectives and madcap romance, all set within the New York City of 1981. Called "a masterpiece" by Quentin Tarantino and, at the time of its release, "Bogdanovich's best film... gorgeous fun!" by Variety. The new DVD edition includes an interview between Bogdanovich and director Wes Anderson. Like we said, what a treat! TRIVIA: The cinematographer Robby Muller would later lend his special perspective to important films including Wim Wenders' PARIS, TEXAS, Jim Jarmusch's DEAD MAN and Lars Von Trier's DANCER IN THE DARK. see also: FOUL PLAY,A NEW LEAF,DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN.